I was surfing the channels last night and one of those infomercials was on, this one about a woman purchasing a triangular piece of material that hooks on her bra in order to keep cleavage at bay.
It showed a woman wearing a low-cut top that kept exposing the girls a wee too much. She was at her desk and a man (either her boss or colleague) was standing beside her as she tried to adjust her V-neck, low cut top, blushing furiously while dude kept casting downward glances at her bosom.
Those little camisole tops just won’t do because as the woman demonstrated, one is always having to adjust, tuck in, and well, it’s just a nuisance. Cami Secret was born, which is basically a dickey for the breasts. (By the way, it can be spelled dicky, dickie or dickey), but men have had it for years — either a turtleneck version or something that looks like a shirt, but isn’t. It’s an insert that looks like a shirt, a “false front.” According to Wikipedia, men have been sporting them since the 19th century.
I began to wonder how this invention came about. Here is the Cami Secret:
To me, it looks alot like this:
Did a woman (or man) for whatever reason wake up with a pair of lacy undies on her/his chest, look down and a lightbulb comes on over her/his head: Dickey for the Breasts! Cut off the the sides, back and crotch and Voila!
Or, maybe they just adapted the men’s version. I like the above more romantic/creative version though and why did it take so long for this to happen? Not that I plan to buy any because I seriously don’t have to worry about that, but I bet some ladies probably will.
I mean, a woman sewed material around a rubber-band and the scrunchy was born and she made millions. I wore them — alot of women did. It was the fashion accessory of the 1980s and early 90s.
You know that idiom, God is in the details or the devil is in the details? Meaning, something is hidden within all the things we already have, that are all around us. Some great (and not so great) idea or invention just waiting to be born. We just have to look for them. I don’t know who invented this little triangular piece of cloth, but she/he found the dickey in the details.
Obviously, my creative musings are at an all-time low today, so I’m off to look for some details and if I come up with something, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Brigitte's Banter 
well I have been doing that for years … she /he stole my idea :-0
Posted by jensine | July 18, 2012, 2:00 pmBut, J, you have to act on those….alas, your idea has been taken. 🙂
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 2:08 pmHave you seen the one that goes around your hips to hide your butt crack when wearing low rise jeans? My sister said, “It’s like a dickey for your butt cleavage!” We laughed for days. 🙂
Posted by Fish Out of Water | July 18, 2012, 2:02 pmYES!! What is that thing called? But wait, there’s more….you can get like three or four of them in various pastel hues perfect for any occasion! Your sister is right and why didn’t we think of it. Sigh.
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 2:09 pmHeres a confession… I used to wear my father’s dickeys and fold the remaining 1/3 under and into my bra. I felt this gave my flat chest a little something extra but in retrospect it probably made me look deformed, like I was a wrestler on steroids.
I like this post because I feel the same way, like one of us is sitting (not literally) on the next big invention. When these things appear on infomercials and such, I always think, “Why didn’t I think of that!!” haha!
Posted by A Gripping Life | July 18, 2012, 2:02 pmGrippy, you had something there and you didn’t even know it! Yeah, I don’t have to worry about it myself. Back then or now. 😉
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 2:11 pmWhat never ceases to amaze me is that someone takes something we’ve been doing for years, patents it, puts a price tag on it and suddenly it’s worth jillions! Always behind the curve! 🙂 xoM
Posted by Margarita | July 18, 2012, 2:13 pmI know, M, I know. Maybe THAT’S the voice I should be listening to more…. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 2:16 pmLOL! 🙂
Posted by Margarita | July 18, 2012, 2:21 pmFunny!! I just watched the entire commercial. (I should be working. Thanks for the break, Brigitte!) So bizarre. The gal waves her “dickie” like a little white flag! I also love the jumbo-sized safety pin. It looks like a weapon. That will teach the boss. Thanks for the giggle. T. (Confession: I was a bra stuffer. I wonder if the creator of the “Wonder Bra” was also a stuffer. . .
Posted by Theadora | July 18, 2012, 2:19 pmI know it’s like a train wreck…you just can’t stop watching it. I was a bra stuffer as well and I’ll just bet you’re right. And the chicken cutlet things you can put in there to raise ’em way up, firm and high and the Victoria Secret ones with the water inside the bra. Not that I’d know anything about any of those…
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 2:23 pmhahaha. I could definitely use this but I don’t. You know what I do instead? I wear a camisole under the shirt so I don’t have a boobalanche. You dould wear the entire thing instead of tucking a napkin into your shirt.
Posted by Maggie O'C | July 18, 2012, 2:20 pmBoobalanche! I love that, Maggie. But as the commercial indicates, well those annoying camisoles can cause hours of frustrating tugging, pulling, tucking. And really who has time for that?
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 2:24 pmOhhh, right! I haven’t seen the commercial and I forgot about how frustrating camisoles can be. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention!
Posted by Maggie O'C | July 18, 2012, 2:29 pmAnything I can do to keep the boobalanche at bay, Maggie. After all, we’re all in this together. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 2:32 pmLove It – Dickey for the Girls – ha! Have a Wonderful Day!
Posted by cravesadventure | July 18, 2012, 3:47 pmYes, who knew? Thanks Craves. You too.
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 5:51 pmI should have thought of that! Damn, I missed my Shark Tank moment!
Posted by Marcia Clarke | July 18, 2012, 4:02 pmI know! I keep waiting for mine. I love that show. Thanks!!
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 5:52 pmLOL, oh well… maybe the next thing.
Posted by Marcia Clarke | July 18, 2012, 6:06 pmKeep me in the loop and I’ll do the same for you, Marcia. ;).
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 6:29 pmI love little weird things like that – though if women just wore tops to work that did not delve to jlo’s navel, then they would not have to worry.
By the way, I wore scunchies too –my mom made them.
Posted by on thehomefrontandbeyond | July 18, 2012, 4:08 pmHa! I hear you Lou Ann. But I guess if a woman’s got to adjust her dickey to climb the corporate ladder then adjust she must. ;).
The scrunchies — loved the bright ones that matched the eyeshadow. Sheesh.
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 5:53 pmI know, eyeshadow was such an important thing back then – now I use it as a disguise.
Posted by on thehomefrontandbeyond | July 18, 2012, 5:57 pmBecause I am apparently a child and look at pictures before I read, I actually thought the Cami Secret was a thong. So I like to think a thong is in the details.
Posted by The Waiting | July 18, 2012, 4:20 pmThat too, Emily. The THONG is in the details.
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 5:53 pmI’m not sure what’s funnier, B, your post, or all the comments on it. In either case it’s been a great read!
Posted by Madame Weebles | July 18, 2012, 4:42 pmHey Madame, why thank you. Happy to serve. Coming from a madame of comedy, I take that as a huge compliment. 😀
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 5:54 pmThis is hilarious. Thanks for the laugh.
Signed,
A Scrunchy-wearer from the 80’s and 90’s
Posted by britta326 | July 18, 2012, 5:16 pmHey Britta, I’m glad you enjoyed and thanks for stopping by. The dickey itself is hilarious, you know. Signed similar Scrunchy-wearer.
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 5:55 pmOh Brigitte, this so reminded me of sitting up nights at the hospital trying to stay awake by watching infomercials with no sound. Funny! Sound was a minor detail. I can’t believe the things people sell.
Posted by Honie Briggs | July 18, 2012, 5:26 pmOh know, isn’t it crazy? The thing is they at least DID something with the idea, as ridiculous as it seems, it is selling….. Thanks, Honie. Now, what can we come up with????
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 5:56 pmSomebody beat us to the corksicle. I saw that one in a store recently and picked it up for a friend who is constantly in need of a re-chill on her white wine.
I really would like to develop that super sonic laser pingback spaminator 2000 to rid the internets of slimy, scummy ring around the akismet. I don’t have those kind of skills. I could write the jingle for the infomercial though : )
Posted by Honie Briggs | July 18, 2012, 6:12 pmOh, a corksickle! I like the sound of that. As far as an internet spaminator, you’re talking over my head woman. What’s an akismet and why do we need pingbacks?? But I’m in on the jingle thing with you. ;).
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 6:28 pmLOL, I have issues.
Posted by Honie Briggs | July 18, 2012, 6:29 pmOk did you really say that men have had dickies for years???? I thought so 🙂 I have never had the breasts falling out of my top issue hmmmm, how do I explain? My ex boyfriend once got me a t shirt that said itty bitty titty committee and on the back it said President…..
Posted by dianasschwenk | July 18, 2012, 6:58 pmYeah, I did. :). And got it (the tee-shirt) but hey the members of the committee have feelings too!! Thanks, D. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 7:05 pmYou bet we have feelings! (sniffle, sniffle)
Posted by dianasschwenk | July 18, 2012, 7:21 pmThanks for the laugh after a very long day at work.. and boobalanche (and lady boner) from Maggie O– where does she come up with these??
Posted by unfetteredbs | July 18, 2012, 7:03 pmHey A — you’re most welcome. Glad you liked it. I don’t know — that Maggie is something else. In a good way.
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 7:06 pmvery much in a good way 🙂 just like you
Posted by unfetteredbs | July 18, 2012, 7:06 pmRight back at YOU, you absolute MASTER of haiku. Swear you have mad skills, woman, mad skills. 🙂 Wicked good. 😉
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 7:08 pmand I madly thank you for your wicked compliments as always…you spoil me so
Posted by unfetteredbs | July 18, 2012, 7:27 pmScrunchies, dickies, pet rocks…. perhaps our talents are being wasted on blogs… I need to come up with some product requiring dust bunnies!
Posted by Sally at Shine | July 18, 2012, 8:09 pmYou may be right about that Sally. Umm, dust bunnies, a pillow maybe. You could market it as really and truly recycled. Ew. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 8:56 pmBrigitte, seems we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t have noob age??? Butt that butt cleavage cozy – that is giant step forward in the evolution of the species IMHO ;). Nikki
Posted by i mayfly | July 18, 2012, 8:44 pmYeah, right????!!!! I agree with your humble opinion, Nikki; it is indeed a giant leap forward. Plumbers should carry one with them always.
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 8:58 pmOops, seems I’ve fallen prey to auto-correct. That’s what I get for my reckless use of the English language. It should have read: ample boobage, not noob age! Oh, that is just not right. Red face; head hung in shame.
Posted by i mayfly | July 19, 2012, 1:33 amDon’t worry Nikki. Everyone does that. I can’t count the amount of times I’ve made a comment and there’s been some misspellings! I knew what you meant. :). Boobage, noob age — it’s all the same, like po-ta-toe, po-tat-o. 😉
Posted by Brigitte | July 19, 2012, 8:50 amHahahaha guys will curse the day this was invented!
Posted by drewpan | July 18, 2012, 9:19 pmDrew, so far you are the only male blogger to be brave enough to make a comment on this post today. I commend you, sir and thanks for your funny comment. 😀
Posted by Brigitte | July 18, 2012, 10:14 pmWell, it HAD to be said hahahah! I guess I was just the first one to say it.
Posted by drewpan | July 18, 2012, 10:20 pmFunny. I really needed this item today! I grabbed something out of the closet to throw on for a classroom setting today. It was a wrap-around dress which I hadn’t worn in forever. As soon as I arrived to the building, I noticed a complete meltdown, lack of structure on the upper part of the dress… the girls were totally trying to jump out and they ain’t all that big, but I was practically a walking invitation for “reach out and touch someone.” And not a safety pin in sight (my usual plan of attack back at home for such things). All day long, checking on the view below my chin, adjusting, checking, adjusting . . . where’s a dickie when you need one?!? And now, a long time ditty passed down in my family… “When the weather is hot and sticky, that’s no time to dunk your dicky; when the frost is on the pumpkin, that’s the time for dicky dunking!!!” And that’s all I gotta say ’bout that! ;^)
Posted by finally_write | July 19, 2012, 1:17 amTrust me, I know what you mean, Sue. My thing was this item that seems so obvious was finally “invented.” I wish I’d been the one to thing of it! The simplest things are right in front of us, it’s just some actually go for it. And that ditty…well, I can honestly say I’ve never heard that one, but it does have a whimsical quality to it. 😀
Posted by Brigitte | July 19, 2012, 8:49 amI actually own three of these cami secret! i’ve had it for months now, and couldn’t believe a post could be made out of it. Lol.
Posted by Nurse Anj | July 19, 2012, 7:05 amHi, you do?? I bet they help…obviously, it interested me enough to write a post about it. I think they’re a great idea. Thanks!!
Posted by Brigitte | July 19, 2012, 8:54 amEven your “low creativity” days are inventive and fun! Of course, I’ve always thought that most women could solve this particular problem simply by wearing blouses and tops that aren’t quite so low-cut! 🙂
Posted by jmmcdowell | July 19, 2012, 9:16 amTrue that, but I guess those with, let’s say, more spillage often have this problem (even with some not-so-low-cut tops). Me, I don’t have to worry about that. And thank you for the nice compliment, J. I try, I really do. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 19, 2012, 9:18 amI’ve never had a problem with “too much” spillage. 🙂 And when I started getting back in shape a few years ago and shed some inches, the bra size went down. Seriously? There wasn’t that much up there to begin with! 🙂
Posted by jmmcdowell | July 19, 2012, 9:21 amthanks for the laugh Brigitte. Very funny. 🙂
Posted by floatingwiththebreeze | July 19, 2012, 11:54 amYou’re welcome, T. Thanks for the compliment/comment. 🙂
Posted by Brigitte | July 19, 2012, 2:06 pmI think I’ll skip buying these and just continue to wear my thongs tied to my bra. Same diff.
Posted by Kathy V. | July 19, 2012, 12:12 pmYep, few snips here, there and you’re go to go. 😀
Posted by Brigitte | July 19, 2012, 2:06 pmBrigitte,
I don’t have anything to say about this. Don’t ask me why.
Le Clown
Posted by clownonfire | July 19, 2012, 12:46 pmTo each his own, Le Clown. Thanks for stopping in…. 😀
Posted by Brigitte | July 19, 2012, 2:08 pmBrigitte,
Thanks for having me. It’s always a please to take a breather here.
Le Clown
Posted by clownonfire | July 19, 2012, 2:17 pmFirst of all, any post in which the word “cleavage” appears in the first sentence is a sure-fire winner.
Also, even thinking about the phrase “Dickey for the Breasts” makes me a little short of breath for some reason.
But I don’t think you should be so surprised. After all, ours is the culture that gave us the Pocket Fisherman, the Chia Pet and spray-on hair.
Posted by Smaktakula | July 19, 2012, 6:32 pmThen I’ve accomplished my goal, Smak — thank you. Writers love a play on words, yes? I don’t know anything about the Pocket Fisherman, but the Chia Pet and Spray on hair, ah yes, great inventions, indeed. I forgot about that spray-on air thing, now I’ve got a mental image of that. Thanks. 😀
Posted by Brigitte | July 19, 2012, 6:44 pmSo why wear a low cut top if you are too embarrassed to wear the low cut top? Just wondering…
I work in an organization that is about 75% female. I do computer support. Of course since the co-ed co-worker is seated as she shows me the issue at hand I am leaning over her shoulder from behind. Inevitably one of those co-ed co-workers I am helping is overflowing her wardrobe. As she explains the issue it will dawn on her that if I look down I will be in cleavage heaven. So she does the rapid top adjustment maneuver. Up until that point I have been looking at the computer screen to follow the explanation – as her hands now flutter over her décolletage the motion pulls my attention from the topic to the scenery. BINGO! So now how do I explain that the adjustment process is actually more revealing and eye-catching than the static reveal ever was? Cause I already saw all that was revealed when I arrived.
Oh did I say I love my work?
Posted by merlinspielen | July 19, 2012, 7:08 pmAh, Merlin… I love you for speaking your mind. I do! I can’t speak for all women or your co-workers. Perhaps she wants you to notice her — I don’t know. And I love that you love your work. Maybe you should give her the gift of the Cami Secret?? But, seriously, I so appreciate your male perspective. Maybe you should just enjoy the “cleavage heaven” and that’s okay. You are funny, dude. Thank you.
Posted by Brigitte | July 19, 2012, 7:16 pmI had just finished a clever response – and managed to hit the wrong keys in my excitement. My main point being if I gave a Cami Secret – that would be worse than doing nothing. The gift says “hey I noticed…”
Posted by merlinspielen | July 19, 2012, 7:32 pmDear B,
That infomercial is HILARIOUS!!!!
I have to say,
I’m a little heavier than normal right now.
This means that much of my snacking on Nutella and Pita Chips goes right to…
ze cleaveage area.
Which is good, right?
I wear a lot of low cut stuff.
I figure….better peeps eyes go THERE….
than my tummy.
That could possibly be mistaken for a 3 month…ok 4 month…pregnancy.
The cami secret seriously cracks me up.
Awesome post lady.
Thank you for telling me you posted.
I no longer trust WP to do it.
♥
Love, LIs
xooxoxx
Posted by Carr Party of Five | July 20, 2012, 11:57 amOh I’m sure you’re fine and look great. We women are far to hard ourselves. Thanks, Lis — appreciate your sweet comment. :).
Posted by Brigitte | July 20, 2012, 12:19 pm